Leadership - Styles for learning
Leadership styles for learning
First impressions usually last a long while. When you meet someone it is important to consider how you impact on others.
Try to think about the impression you made and what you could have done to modify it if necessary.
Four styles of leadership are very commonly referred to.
Directing
This is often appropriate where there is a chain of command as in the armed forces. The style can range from extremely forceful to a little more persuasive in terms of explaining the reason behind a decision.
This style is very useful when someone first begins a new job. At this stage a lot of direction is required and a coaching or mentoring style can be introduced slowly.
Mentoring
This approach uses the experience of an individual to teach the novice. The mentor is not on hand every step of the way but is available to dispense advice to solve an immediate problem until the next time. This approach is slightly more detached than coaching.
Finding a mentor is not as easy as it sounds. They can be a rare breed. Rather than individuals having to find them a good leader will set up a system of mentors and encourage individuals to use them. Naturally, a team leader would act as a mentor for the team.
Others at operational and strategic level may be harder to find.
If you are at the top as a leader it will be up to you to organise a meeting of operational leaders in order to discuss mentoring.
Amongst these operational leaders there should be some who already have experiences of mentoring to share.
If you can quote any external examples so much the better.
Coaching
The coach takes ‘help’ a step further. He encourages the person to think about what he is doing and is not there to just provide a solution.
It is his job to train the person and gradually improve his leadership and management knowledge so that he will be able to move to the next stage of delegation. To do this he may be teaching project management skills [see Complete Project Management plus PRINCE2], time management skills and leadership skills.
Delegation
When a person has acquired the necessary leadership, project and time management skills you will be in a position to delegate tasks to an individual with confidence. Naturally, the act of delegation is a training process in itself. There will be no ‘magic’ point when the person is ready as they will always be gaining experience.
General
In terms of leadership a person will rise up a ladder of skills.
At the foot of the ladder a person just carries out work as he or she is told.
Once you begin to show others how to do a job you become a teacher.
Getting others to do the job is the blueprint for a manager (compared to a leader).
Motivating others to do the job and improve their own coaching and influencing skills is the mark of a leader.
Whenever a team member goes on a leadership course make sure you talk to them about expectations before they go and review how they got on when they get back. It is also a good idea to review progress in 6 months time.
Don’t forget to give the personnel department some feedback on the usefulness of the course over a period of time.
The responsibility for training your staff is yours and does not fall entirely on the personnel department.
If the leader at the top carries out mentoring then this influence will spread downwards easily and naturally with little need for a lot of encouragement.
Other educational methods
Apart from the techniques above there are other aspects of learning which are very common.
Apprenticeship
In this method a person learns from a master in the skill in question. The master would teach by example.
Tutoring
The person guides and teaches the person on an individual basis.
Teaching
Imply this can imply the use of examples and transferring information so that others may benefit.
Training
Strictly speaking this is developing the body and mind to make them more receptive to forms of learning.
It should be worth noting that just because something is new does not make it the best technique in terms of teaching.
Many principles that have been around for many years are still the best.
There is often confusion between ‘training’ and ‘education’.
The former, as seen above, develops the mind and body for a specific purpose whereas the latter is far more wide ranging.
Education is designed to make you amore rounded individual to give you the opportunity to develop your potential as well as moulding attitudes and values.
Learning always continues throughout life.